by Cathy and Sarah C. · The Origins of ADHD
o Stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
o Used to be known as Attention Deficit Disorder, but was renamed in the 90’s
o Sometimes ADD still used as defining those without the element of hyperactivity
o Medical condition that affects sitting still/paying attention/focus
o Differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity
o ADHD covers three categories of behavior: § Attention § Activity § Impulsivity
o There are also different types within the spectrum of ADHD § Combined type – exhibits all three behaviors § Hyperactive/impulsive – exhibits hyperactivity/impulsivity, but not inattention § Inattentive type – (Formerly ADD) not active or disruptive, usually just inattentive · This may go unnoticed in the classroom
· Symptoms or Signs of ADHD
o NOTE: ADHD can be broad, and can show up different ways in different people
o Difficulty paying attention or staying focused on a task or activity
o Have a tendency to daydream
o Problems finishing assignments at school or home
o Jumps from one activity to another
o Trouble focusing on instructions and difficulty following through
o Loses or forgets things
o Easily distracted at any time
o Problems paying close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
o Trouble organizing tasks and activities
o Feels restless
o Talks excessively
· Misconceptions
o Everyone has to use medication to help treat the disorder
o ADD and ADHD are the same
o There is no such thing as ADD anymore
o Symptoms or signs always mean ADHD or ADD
· Accommodations
o Seat placement
o Give them an outlet for their fixations
o Encourage organization in the classroom (older students)
o Physical exercise
o Support from resource teachers (special education) § Can sometimes be a modification as well
o Provide reassurance and encouragement
o Repeat directions multiple times and different ways
o Look for opportunities for student to display leadership role in class
· Curricular Modifications
o Individualized, written schedule that your child can refer to
o "Study buddy", one-on-one attention
o Break down/apart or simplify assignments to be more attainable
by Cathy and Sarah C.
· The Origins of ADHD
o Stands for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
o Used to be known as Attention Deficit Disorder, but was renamed in the 90’s
o Sometimes ADD still used as defining those without the element of hyperactivity
o Medical condition that affects sitting still/paying attention/focus
o Differences in the parts of their brains that control attention and activity
o ADHD covers three categories of behavior:
§ Attention
§ Activity
§ Impulsivity
o There are also different types within the spectrum of ADHD
§ Combined type – exhibits all three behaviors
§ Hyperactive/impulsive – exhibits hyperactivity/impulsivity, but not inattention
§ Inattentive type – (Formerly ADD) not active or disruptive, usually just inattentive
· This may go unnoticed in the classroom
· Symptoms or Signs of ADHD
o NOTE: ADHD can be broad, and can show up different ways in different people
o Difficulty paying attention or staying focused on a task or activity
o Have a tendency to daydream
o Problems finishing assignments at school or home
o Jumps from one activity to another
o Trouble focusing on instructions and difficulty following through
o Loses or forgets things
o Easily distracted at any time
o Problems paying close attention to details or makes careless mistakes
o Trouble organizing tasks and activities
o Feels restless
o Talks excessively
· Misconceptions
o Everyone has to use medication to help treat the disorder
o ADD and ADHD are the same
o There is no such thing as ADD anymore
o Symptoms or signs always mean ADHD or ADD
· Accommodations
o Seat placement
o Give them an outlet for their fixations
o Encourage organization in the classroom (older students)
o Physical exercise
o Support from resource teachers (special education)
§ Can sometimes be a modification as well
o Provide reassurance and encouragement
o Repeat directions multiple times and different ways
o Look for opportunities for student to display leadership role in class
· Curricular Modifications
o Individualized, written schedule that your child can refer to
o "Study buddy", one-on-one attention
o Break down/apart or simplify assignments to be more attainable
· Resources
o http://kidshealth.org/teen/school_jobs/school/adhd.html
o http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/ast_oneadhd-children
o ADHD Quiz: https://healthmanager.webmd.com/webmd/advhq/ADHD/quiz.aspx?toolid=488
o http://www.webmd.com/add-adhd/guide/attention-deficit-hyperactivity-disorder-adhd
o CHADD website (Children and Adults with Attention Deficit hyperactivity Disorder): http://chadd.org/
o Attention Deficit Disorder Association website: http://www.add.org/
o http://addwarehouse.com/shopsite_sc/store/html/article4.htm
http://school.familyeducation.com/learning-disabilities/treatments/37770.html